'Tidying Up with Marie Kondo': UMES grad, wife appear on Netflix show

If you have become obsessed with tidying up and getting rid of old clothes thanks to Marie Kondo’s technique just like the rest of the country, chances are you have a pile of items you wanna get rid of. Susana Victoria Perez has more.
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As Netflix users binge watch professional organizer Marie Kondo's new show, University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduates might see a familiar face.

"Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" dropped onto Netflix earlier this month and has caused a stir with viewers wanting to toss out everything that doesn't "spark joy." One of the couples featured on the show, Angela and Alishia Holmes-Watson, has a connection to Delmarva: Angela graduated from UMES in 2007, majoring in general agriculture with a focus in animal science.

"It was a very new experience," Angela said.

The newlyweds are the focus of the series' eighth episode "When Two (Messes) Become One" as they document their move into a new condominium in Long Beach, California.

Alishia Holmes-Watson (left), Marie Kondo (center) and Angela Holmes-Watson (right) pose for a photo. The couple are featured on an episode of Netflix's "Tidying Up With Marie Kondo." Courtesy of Angela Holmes-Watson.(Photo: Submitted Image)

Kondo, a Japanese organizer, has received worldwide success through her multiple best-selling books and Netflix series. Along with her translator, Kondo visits various Los Angeles-area homes to help families declutter on her new show.

"They are a lovely couple, but they are having trouble figuring out how they can turn their new home into a comfortable space for both of them," Kondo says in the episode's intro.

Applying for 'Tidying Up'

Angela, 33, works as a veterinarian and Alishia, 32, as a flight attendant. The pair tells viewers how they met on a flight Alishia was working on about five years ago. They recently got married and purchased their new home.

Before meeting Angela, Alishia explains to viewers she considered herself a nomad.

"I feel like I literally grabbed her out of the sky and brought her down to earth," Angela says in the episode.

Alishia Holmes-Watson (left) and Angela Holmes-Watson (right) are featured in one episode of Netflix's "Tidying Up With Marie Kondo." Courtesy of Angela Holmes-Watson.(Photo: Submitted Image)

The 37 minute episode shows the newlyweds hoping to begin life in their new space tidied and free of old items they don't need anymore.

Angela said before being on the show, they weren't fully aware of Kondo's organizational techniques. Their decision to apply for the show was primarily on a whim.

After sending in an audition tape, the couple heard back about filming for the show.

"It was pretty immediate that they reached out," Alishia said.

Reorganizing on reality TV

The couple remembers the filming process took about three months, but editing shows about a months time in the episode.

The production company who worked on the show, The Jackal Group, worked with the families featured on the show. The Holmes-Watsons said the film crew was great to work with and really helped explain the process.

Working with Kondo was also a great experience, the couple said. Alishia explained the organizing guru allows you to go at your own pace by leaving you with the tools to sort through items yourself. Then comes back to help organize the items you decide to keep.

In the episode, Kondo doesn't immediately look convinced the couple needs any help with organization until Angela shows her into a space they consider the "struggle room." The room is filled with various items wall-to-wall including shoes, books and clothes.

"So how do you use this room now?" Kondo asks.

"We don't," Alishia responds.

Netflix starts off the New Year with "Tidying Up With Marie Kondo."(Photo: Denise Crew/Netflix)

The episode shows some difficult moments, especially for Alishia, who makes the tough decision of parting with a dress that no longer fits, but conjures memories of spending time with her grandmother.

"Clothes was my biggest struggle," Alishia said.

Alishia realized she had clothes dating back to college and that it was time to part with items that no longer fit properly. Getting rid of items that no longer served a purpose, but continuing to hold onto the memories of those items was lesson for the couple.

'I can't believe we did that'

At the end of the episode, Kondo is happy to see the Holmes-Watsons part ways with items that no longer bring them joy and better organize their space. Many of the items they parted with were donated to local organizations.

Alishia said they were happy to scale down and see those items benefit others.

Angela said they continue to use Kondo's tips and while the condo isn't as clean as it was on the final day of filming, it's still neat. Alishia compared it to your mom visiting and cleaning everything up, but now mom hasn't been here in a while.

The newlyweds said the response they've received from their episode has been all positive.

Watching the episode themselves made the couple laugh and brought back memories of the days spent filming.